How to successfully prepare for a move to Singapore

So, you’ve decided to move to Singapore! Regardless of whether you are moving for work or personal reasons, you’ll need to get organised before you relocate. Setting up your new life in Singapore is going to take some time and effort. Luckily, we at Allied have created a handy guide to preparing for your move to Singapore.

ORGANISE THE ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS

With any move comes a significant amount of admin! You’ll need to arrange visas, licences, new leases, and utilities. We know it can feel overwhelming at first so prepare for your move as early as possible. Write out a to-do list and break down big tasks into smaller ones. We’d recommend attempting to do a little every day to avoid stress and disorganisation later down the track. 

Passports and visas

This may sound like a given, but organising your visa and passports should be at the top of your moving checklist. You’ll need to make sure that you and your family have valid passports to travel as well as the appropriate visa. If your employer is applying for your work permit, they will require your passport to be valid for more than two years so it doesn’t expire before your work permit does. If you’re organising your own work permit, then you’ll find everything you need to know here.

Health insurance and vaccinations

When making the move to Singapore, you’ll need specific vaccinations as a condition of entry. We’d recommend discussing the required vaccinations and booster shots with a travel doctor. These vaccinations may include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and rabies. Make a few copies of your medical records, including your pets before you leave.  

Moving to Singapore will mean you’ll need new health insurance. Do some research to find a comprehensive plan which fits your specific requirements. We also recommend scheduling a health check up with your regular a few weeks before your move. 

If you require prescription medication or use medical devices, you will need to inform Singaporean authorities before you arrive. They will want to ensure that whatever you’re bringing into their country is strictly for personal use.  

Driving licence

Wanting to drive in Singapore? We recommend applying for your international driving licence, which will be valid for a year. Following its expiry, you can apply for a Singaporean driving licence. To avoid taking a practical driving test, you can change your home country licence to a Singapore licence before you have been resident in Singapore for one year. However, you will still need to sit a theory test. You can find out everything you need to know about driving in Singapore here. 

Cancel any utilities 

You’ll need to call your service providers and notify them of your plans to move abroad. Don’t forget to cancel your contracts and pay any outstanding bills. You can also leave some money with a friend or relative in case a forgotten bill comes up while you are overseas. 

CREATE A BUDGET

Relocating always comes with various expenses. If you're moving for business, then your company can potentially assist in reimbursing you for particular costs. However, if your move is for personal reasons then you’ll need to do some research to create a realistic budget. 

By doing some research into the average living and housing costs you’ll be well informed and able to negotiate a good deal on your new home and utilities. Research flights and contact Allied to receive a realistic estimate on your moving costs. Remember to include extra expenses in your budget, such as a security deposit for accommodation and utilities, real estate agency fees or the price of internet installation in your home. Sticking to your budget might mean postponing some purchases until you are settled, so make sure to create a list of priorities.

GET PACKING!

Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of moving. Luckily we’ve created an easy to follow checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything! If the thought of packing is too unbearable then why not get Allied to help you out? We can help you pack in your home country and then unpack in Singapore with our easy packing services. 

Wanting to relocate with your vehicle or pet? With our specialised vehicle moving service, we can easily transport your car or motorcycle to your new home. Bringing your vehicle with you means you won’t need to sell your old car and purchase a new one. 

Pets are important members of the family and when it comes to moving, relocating them safely is a top priority. You can ensure your precious pet makes the journey to your Singapore home without incident by using our Allied pet relocation service. 

You might also want to take some familiar items, such as snacks or food, to help you settle in during the first few weeks. This might seem irrelevant, but it can be very comforting when you’re still adjusting to your new environment after a big move overseas. 

HIRE A TRUSTED MOVING COMPANY

When it comes to moving internationally, there’s a lot involved. Unlike moving locally, you’ll need to work out international logistics such as customs, how to transport your belongings over long distances and arrange the necessary paperwork. We recommend having full confidence in your chosen moving company. Allied has an exceptional amount of experience in relocating individuals, families and pets across the globe. We take care of more than 50,000 international relocations every year! 

Trust Allied as we have the necessary knowledge and experience to make your move to Singapore easy, efficient and affordable.